Disney movies have been a staple in many people’s lives for generations. From classic animated films to live-action remakes, there is something for everyone to enjoy. These beloved movies have touched the hearts of both children and adults all around the world. In this blog post, we’ll uncover 25 fun facts about some of your favorite Disney movies that you may not have known.
1. Did you know that the song “Let It Go” from Frozen was originally written for a villain character? The song was eventually rewritten to be Elsa’s anthem of self-empowerment.
2. The character of Ariel in The Little Mermaid was modeled after actress Alyssa Milano.
3. The Beast in Beauty and the Beast was inspired by a real-life person named Petrus Gonsalvus who had hypertrichosis, a condition that causes excessive hair growth.
4. Tim Burton was originally considered to direct The Nightmare Before Christmas, but he was busy working on Batman Returns at the time.
5. The voice actor who played the Genie in Aladdin, Robin Williams, improvised most of his lines in the movie.
6. The Lion King was the first Disney animated film to be dubbed in Zulu for its South African release.
7. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was Walt Disney’s first animated feature film, released in 1937.
8. The iconic spaghetti kiss scene in Lady and the Tramp was Walt Disney’s idea.
9. The character of Tinker Bell in Peter Pan was animated by actress Margaret Kerry, who acted out the character’s movements for reference.
10. The voice of Boo in Monsters, Inc. was provided by a then three-year-old girl named Mary Gibbs.
11. The character of Mulan was originally supposed to have a younger brother, but he was later cut from the film.
12. Tarzan was the first Disney animated feature film to be released on DVD.
13. The character of Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians was inspired by a real person named Mary Quant, a British fashion designer known for her bold style.
14. The character of Gaston in Beauty and the Beast was modeled after the actor who played him, Richard White.
15. The character of Pumbaa in The Lion King was the first Disney character to pass gas on screen.
16. The character of Lumière in Beauty and the Beast was originally supposed to have a British accent, but the voice actor, Jerry Orbach, convinced the directors to change it to a French accent.
17. The character of Pinocchio was originally supposed to be a little boy named Joe, but he was later changed to a puppet.
18. The character of Genie in Aladdin was originally supposed to be a straightforward, no-nonsense character, but once Robin Williams was cast, the character was rewritten to be more chaotic and unpredictable.
19. The character of Ursula in The Little Mermaid was based on drag queen Divine.
20. The character of Louis in The Princess and the Frog was originally written as a human, but was later rewritten to be an alligator.
21. The character of Alice in Alice in Wonderland was originally supposed to be blonde, but she was changed to have dark hair to better contrast with the colorful backgrounds.
22. The script for Pocahontas was originally much darker and more historically accurate, but was later rewritten to be more family-friendly.
23. The character of Simba in The Lion King was named after a Swahili word meaning “lion.”
24. The character of Rapunzel in Tangled was originally supposed to be a much darker, edgier character, but was later rewritten to be more lighthearted and relatable.
25. The character of Moana in Moana was the first Disney princess to not have a romantic interest in the film.
These fun facts about your favorite Disney movies only scratch the surface of the magic and creativity that goes into making these timeless classics. Whether you’re a fan of classic animated films or live-action remakes, there is always something new to discover and enjoy in the world of Disney. So next time you sit down to watch one of these beloved movies, keep these fun facts in mind and see if you can spot them in action.